mymizu: Winner of Ministry of the Environment and Nippon Foundation’s "Zero Ocean Pollution Award 2020"
Tokyo, Japan, Release: 17th September 2020. For Immediate Release.
On 14 September 2020, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and The Nippon Foundation named mymizu, the initiative reducing the consumption of single-use plastics run by Tokyo-based Social Innovation Japan, the winner of the prestigious Umi Gomi Zero Award (Zero Ocean Pollution Award). As part of this award, mymizu will receive 500,000 yen in funding to accelerate its growth and impact.
“We are extremely grateful to be chosen amongst over 300 applicants for one of Japan’s top environmental prizes,” says Robin Takashi Lewis, co-founder of Social Innovation Japan. “Through the Umi Gomi Zero Award, we have been fortunate to meet many inspiring people across the country who are working hard to protect our oceans. We extend our sincere thanks to the organisers for their generous support and hope to continue forging new partnerships going forward to create a world without ocean pollution.”
The Umi Gomi Zero Award is an annual competition that recognises people and organisations across Japan working on reducing ocean pollution. Divided into two main tracks - the Innovation track and the Action track - the award attracts applicants from schools, universities, nonprofits and corporations that are taking action for the protection of Japan’s precious marine environment.
mymizu was named the winner of the “Minister of the Environment Award” in the Innovation track, and was presented the award by Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment, Ms. Ayuko Kato. Other winners include a high school in Miyagi prefecture using remote sensing and artificial intelligence to track ocean plastic (Judge’s special prize), a J-league football team in Yamanashi minimising waste in their stadium (Grand Prize), and an organisation cleaning up 50 kilometers of Aichi Prefecture’s coastline (Minister of Environment Award, Action track). See here for a full list of winners.
Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the activities of environmental groups in Japan and around the world, the generous support of The Nippon Foundation and the Ministry of the Environment will enable mymizu, and the other winners of the award, to boost their work in tackling ocean pollution.
About mymizu (“mizu” means water in Japanese):
mymizu is a platform connecting people to 7,000+ free water refill stations (water fountains and partner cafes, shops, hotels) across Japan and 200,000 globally. Using mymizu, it’s possible to refill your water bottle anywhere – it’s good for the planet, the body and the wallet! Since launching in September 2019, the mymizu app has had 50,000+ downloads across 40 countries and, since launching its refill tracker feature in early 2020, has tracked the reduction of over 30,000 PET bottles and over 10,000kgs of CO2 emissions.
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The mymizu app is internationally available for download on iOS and Android.
For information on mymizu: Visit mymizu.co to find out more and to download the app. mymizu is borne out of Social Innovation Japan, a registered non-profit organisation with a mission to activate greater social innovation in and out of Japan.
For information on the Umi Gomi Zero Award: The Umi Gomi Zero Award, organised by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and The Nippon Foundation, recognises the efforts of people and organisations around Japan tackling ocean pollution. For more information, visit their official website.
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For media or partnership enquiries please contact Reiko Suzuki: media@mymizu.co
一般社団法人Social Innovation Japan
〒151-0062 Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Motoyoyogicho, 4-5
Phone: +81+80-3470-8859